Chilanga Town Council successfully conducted an engagement meeting with Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Empowerment Loan Beneficiaries for the 2022 to 2024 cycles at the Civic Centre.
The meeting, which was chaired by the CDFC Vice Chairperson, Mr. Chitengi Kakoma brought together beneficiaries who shared their experiences, successes, and challenges in implementing their various empowerment projects. Beneficiaries who have made notable progress and are consistently repaying their loans encouraged others facing challenges to remain committed and adopt better business management practices to enhance their repayment performance.
In his remarks, Mr. Kakoma emphasized that the CDF Empowerment Loans are revolving funds that must be repaid to enable other community members to benefit from the same support.
He urged beneficiaries to take ownership of the programme by honouring their repayment obligations on time.
Speaking during the meeting, Chilanga Town Council Secretary, Mr. Francis Ndola reminded beneficiaries of the importance of adhering to the loan agreements that they signed. He emphasized that timely loan repayment is essential for the sustainability of the empowerment programme and ensures that other deserving citizens can also benefit from the fund.
Mr. Ndola also highlighted that the beneficiaries are contributing to employment creation because most of them are engaged in productive activities.
He added that by investing the loans into viable businesses, beneficiaries are helping the government to create jobs and support local economic growth.
The Acting District Commissioner, Ms. Maureen Chilende thanked the Constituency Development Fund Committee for organizing the engagement meeting and acknowledged the government’s efforts under the leadership of the Republican President, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, in ensuring that the CDF continues to empower communities.
She further noted that when funds are not repaid, it deprives others of the opportunity to access the same support.
